Clay model protector



Patented Aug. 2, 1932 PATENT OFFIE ALICE GUTSCH, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN CLAY MODEL :eno'rno'ron Application filed November 19, 1930. Serial No. 496,812.

The invention relates to devices for the protection and handling of clay models.

In art classes where clay modeling is p taught, the usual practice is for each student to cover his unfinished clay model with a damp cloth so as to prevent the clay from drying and hardeningi'rom one class to the next, which may be a period of several days. This practice is objectionable for sanitary reasons as the cloths become soiled and are handled more or less publicly, and aiiords no protection to the unfinished model against accidental blows which may spoil the results of painstaking effort. Another objection is that a great deal of storage space is needed to accommodate the unfinished work of large classes.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a simple, durable, and inexpensive clay model protector which will not only avoid the above disadvantages but also facilitate the work of the student.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a clay model protector including a model-supporting base member and a complementary cover member which are releasably disposed one above the other and are capable of being stacked with similar units to afford compact storage, the cover member being either mounted above the base member for enclosing and protecting the unfinished work, or disposed below the base member in pedestal-forming relation to bring the work up to the level of the eye when modeling is being done.

The invention further consists in the several features hereinafter set forth and more particularly defined by the annexed claims.

In the accompanying drawing, Fig. 1 is an elevation showing a pair of the clay model protectors of this invention arranged in stacked relation;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view taken along the line 33 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of one of the base members, and

Fig. '5 is an elevation of one of the devices showing the position of the parts when modeling is in progress.

In the drawing, the numerals 10 and 11 respectively designate a base member and a cover member complementary thereto, both of which may be formed of sheet metal. In the present instance these members are indicated to be square in horizontal cross-section, but other shapes may be used.

The base member 10 is provided with a flat horizontal top wall 12 which forms a support on which a clay model 13 remains until it is completed. The base member includes depending marginal flange portions 14 having integrally formed corner legs 15, which latter are of angle-shaped cross-section and have inturned flanges 16 formed at their lower ends. The cover member 11 is in the form of an inverted cup of square cross-section and has its lower portions slidably fitting over the upper portions of the base member 10, as seen in Fig. 2, the telescoping movement of these parts being limited by suitable stops such as beads 17 pressed into the side walls of the cover member. lie-enforcing corner plates 17' may be secured within the cover adjacent the beads.

The upper end of the cover 11 is provided with a square extension 18 of reduced width about which is formed a marginal ledge or terrace 19. The ledge 19 forms a support for the base member of a superposed unit, as indicated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, thus permitting compact storage of the units. The angular legs of the superposed base member fit about the corner portions of the extension 18 of the cover member as indicated in Fig. 3, thus preventing relative lateral shifting of these parts. A card holder 20 is secured to a side wall of each of the cover members for the reception of a students identification card 21, thus permitting the work of each student to be easily and quickly located.

When modeling is to be done the two parts of each unit are transposed, the cover member 11 being set on a suitable support to form a pedestaland the corresponding base member carrying the work being mounted thereabove, as indicated in Fig. 5. In this manner the work is brought up to the level of the eye. During the modeling operation the work can readily be brought into convenient position by rotatin or laterally moving either the cover member or the base member. This manipulation is facilitated by the presence of the finger-receiving spaces between the legs of the base member. At the end of the class period, the model-carrying base memher is lifted from the cover member and the cover member is then mounted over the base member to form a protecting enclosure for the clay model, thus preventin injury to the unfinished model and retarding the evaporation of the moisture in the model so that the clay will not dry out and harden. The units are stacked for compact storage as indicated in Fig. 1. At the next class the student can quickly locate his work, and his unit can be easily removed from the stack, since the spaces between the legs of the base member provide hand openings by which the unit can be readily lifted and carried without danger of injury to the work.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A clay model protector comprising a base member having a model-supporting top wall and having spaced legs presenting finger-receiving recesses therebetween to facilitate the manipulation of said base memher, and a cover member removaly supported on said base member against relative lateral displacement for enclosing a model on said base member, said cover member having means at its upper port ons for supporting a similar base member in stacked relation against relative lateral movement.

2. A clay model protector comprising a polygonal base member having a model-supporting top wall and having spaced legs of angular cross-section at its corner portions presenting finger-receiving recesses therebetween, and a cover member of polygonal cross-section removably carried on said base member against relative lateral movement to form a protecting enclosure for a clay model therein, said cover member forming a sup port for a superposed base member and having marginal recessed portions at its upper wall confining the angular legs of said base member against relative lateral displacement.

3. A clay model protector comprising a base member having a model-supporting top wall and depending side portions, and a cover member supported by and slidably fitting over the depending side portions of said base member against relative lateral movement for enclosing a model on said base member, said cover member having means at its upper portions for interfitting with and supporting the depending portions of a base member against lateral movement to permit transposition of said members and to permit stacking of a plurality of protectors.

4. A clay model protector comprising a base member having a model-supporting surface and having depending side portions provided with inturned lower terminal flanges, and a pedestal-forming cover member having an upper surface engageable with said inturned flanges for supporting said base memher, said cover member having upstanding portions engageable with the inner edges of said flanges for preventing relative lateral movement between said base member and said cover member.

A clay model protector comprising a base having a model-supporting top wall and depending marginal portions, and a cover telescopically supported about the depending marginal portions of said base against relative lateral movement for enclosing a model on said base, said cover having marginal recessed portions at its upper walls for entering between and supporting the depending marginal portions of a similar base against relative lateral movement to permit stable stacking of a plurality of protectors.

6. A clay model protector comprising a sh et metal base having a model-supporting top wall and integrally formed down-turned marginal flanges, and a sheet metal cover having side walls telescopically supported about said down-turned flanges against relative lateral movement for enclosing a model on said base, said cover having upper portions engageable with said base flanges for supporting said base thereabove against relative lateral movement.

7. A clay model protector comprising a base member having a model-su1; porting top wall and having side walls provided with laterally opening linger-receiving recesses spaced downwardly from said top wall, and a cover member removably supported on said base member against relative lateral displacement for enclosing a model on said base memher, said cover member having means at its upper portions for supporting a similar base member in stacked relation against relative lateral movement.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature.

ALICE GUTSCH. 

